The statue of Benjamin Disraeli is an outdoor bronze sculpture by

Mario Raggi Mario Raggi (1821–26 November 1907) was an Italian sculptor who settled in England where he received several public commissions for statues of civic figures. Biography Raggi was born at Carrara, Italy where he learnt to sculpt, and won severa ...

, located at the west side of Parliament Square in London. It was unveiled in 1883 and became a Grade II listed building in 1970.

Description and history

The memorial features a bronze statue of the former prime minister

Benjamin Disraeli Benjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield, (21 December 1804 – 19 April 1881) was a British statesman and Conservative politician who twice served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He played a central role in the creation o ...

, dressed in his robes as 1st Earl of Beaconsfield, standing on a red granite pedestal. At the front, immediately below the statue, the pedestal bears the inscription "BEACONSFIELD", and the rear face has the inscription "BENJAMIN DISRAELI / EARL OF BEACONSFIELD / K.G. / 1804 – 1881". The statue was made by

(sometimes known as Mario Razzi or Rossi) and cast by H. Young & Co, art founders of

Pimlico Pimlico () is an area of Central London in the City of Westminster, built as a southern extension to neighbouring Belgravia. It is known for its garden squares and distinctive Regency architecture. Pimlico is demarcated to the north by London V ...

. It was recognised as a good likeness, based on a bust that Raggi had made before Disraeli's death. The monument was unveiled by Sir

Stafford Northcote Stafford Henry Northcote, 1st Earl of Iddesleigh (27 October 1818 – 12 January 1887), known as Sir Stafford Northcote, Bt from 1851 to 1885, was a British Conservative politician. He served as Chancellor of the Exchequer between 1874 and 1 ...

, Disraeli's successor as leader of the Conservative Party, on the second anniversary of Disraeli's death, 19 April 1883, a date which became known as Primrose Day. For many years, into the 1920s, arrangements of primroses, reputedly Disraeli's favourite flower, were left at the memorial to commemorate the anniversary of his death. Originally sited on the south side of the square facing south towards St Margaret's, Westminster, it was moved when the square was reconfigured in the 1950s, and resited in its present location, on the west side of the square facing east towards the Houses of Parliament. The statue became a Grade II listed building in 1970.

Notes

References

STATUE OF BENJAMIN DISRAELI, EARL OF BEACONSFIELD, Non Civil Parish - 126370 , Historic England

Disraeli statue
londonremembers.com

External links

* 1883 establishments in the United Kingdom 1883 sculptures Benjamin Disraeli Bronze sculptures in the United Kingdom Disraeli, Benjamin Parliament Square Disraeli, Benjamin Disraeli, Benjamin Disraeli {{UK-sculpture-stub